Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS) is the largest and busiest airport in Nigeria and serves its capital, Lagos.
The airport is located in Ikeja, 22 km northwest of central Lagos. Getting to popular areas of Lagos, such as Victoria Island or the city of Lekki, takes from 45 minutes to over 90 minutes, heavily depending on the city’s hectic traffic.
Lagos Airport handles around 6-8 million passengers in most years, with significant growth since the end of the pandemic. It is among the 15 busiest airports in Africa.
Major Airlines - Air Peace
The airline with the most flights and destinations from Lagos is Air Peace. It is the largest airline in Nigeria and West Africa and operates direct routes to around a dozen domestic destinations plus a growing number of regional and long-haul ones.
Other Nigerian carriers include Arik Air, Ibom Air, United Nigeria Airlines, and the state-controlled Aero Contractors, which focus mainly on domestic and regional services. Green Africa Airways is the main low-cost carrier at LOS.
Other prominent African airlines to fly to/from Lagos include Egyptair, Royal Air Maroc, Kenya Airways, Air Tanzania, Ethiopian Airlines, and Uganda Airlines.
International airlines are aplenty, too. The largest ones include British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines. Their direct long-haul routes include London Heathrow, Paris, Amsterdam, Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, New York, Washington, and Atlanta.
If you’d like to see Murtala Muhammed Airport’s live departure board, click here.
Terminals of Lagos Airport
The airport has two terminals, located roughly 1 km from each other:
MMIA Terminal 1 (International Terminal): Government-run and handles all long-haul and international flights. Generally considered to have poorer facilities, although the situation is improving.
MMA2 (Domestic Terminal): The newer and more modern terminal. Privately-run. Handles all domestic traffic.
The airport, including both terminals, is open 24/7.
The minimum connection time is 2-3 hours, owing to the poor organization of the airport and the multiple checks and chokepoints that form inside each terminal. There is no airside transfer system in place, so all connecting flights are, in practice, treated independently.
Free WiFi and other services
Free WiFi was introduced in the MMA2 Terminal of Lagos Airport in early 2026 and is set to be introduced to the other terminal soon, too. Connect to the MMA2CowryWiFi network to use.
Most travelers have historically relied on mobile data for connectivity, and it’s not uncommon to pay someone a small charge to use their portable hotspot for a few minutes.
Faster and stronger wi-fi networks are available in the premium lounges at LOS.
Other passenger services at Murtala Muhammed Airport include:
ATMs: Zenith Bank provides machines in Arrivals.
Currency Exchange: Provided by Sulah and Moneylink in Arrivals. Zenith Bank also provides exchange services.
Baby Care: Most washrooms have baby-care facilities, such as changing tables and feeding areas.
Post Office: Located in the International Terminal.
Prayer rooms: There are both Christian and Muslim prayer rooms, located Airside.
Relaxation Centre: Located on the Food Court Level.
Luggage Porters: Look for the assistants wearing SkyBlue uniforms.
Luggage Trolleys: Available in Departures and in Baggage reclaim.
Clinic: Located in MMA2 Arrivals and available 24/7.
Check out the best things to do in Lagos, Nigeria.
Lounges at LOS
Both terminals of Lagos Airport have several lounges, including airline-specific and independent ones.
In the Domestic Terminal (MMA2), you can have access to:
Gabfol Lounge: A lounge operated by Arik Air Wing, located airside, and open from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Pay at the door is possible for ~24 USD.
VIP Lounge: An independent lounge located on the 2nd floor of the terminal, airside, that you can pay 10.000 NGN to enter. Open between 6:30 AM and 8:45 PM. Also accepts Priority Pass and other membership programs.
The International Terminal, the choice is even greater:
Air France Lounge: Located conveniently near the Air France/KLM gates and opens 3 hours before a scheduled departure of either airline.
Gabfol Lounge: Located landside, on the upper floor near the check-in area. Open 24/7. Allows for paid entry - ~30 USD per adult.
Oasis Lounge: Located airside, close to the Immigration checkpoint. Accepts most lounge membership passes, otherwise entry costs around 50 USD. Open 24/7.
Premium Lounge: Located airside, in the E Wing mezzanine level. Open 24/7.
Skyway Premium Lounge: Located airside, in the E Wing. Pay at the door is possible for ~30 USD.
Dining Options at Murtala Muhammed Airport
Both terminals have small selections of cafés, restaurants, fast food joints, and bakeries. There are also a few bars where you can get a drink or a light snack.
Some of the most popular dining places at LOS are:
Terminal 1:
Barcelos is open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Bukka Hut is open from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Krispy Kreme is open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Newrest ASL is open from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Terminal 2:
Chicken Republic is open from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
KFC is open from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
So Fresh is open from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Dodo Pizza is open from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Eric Kayser Boulangerie is open from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
There are no outlets open 24/7, so if you’re at the airport overnight, you won’t have any places open for food.
Transport to and from the airport
Transport from Lagos Airport can be a little tricky. If you’re staying in a hotel near the airport, or one of the international brands on Lagos Island, there’s a high chance it can organize a complimentary shuttle to quickly take you there.
Taxis are the second-best option. Look for the licensed yellow taxis outside the terminal. Check the driver’s badge to make sure it’s a licensed taxi and avoid touts. Agree to the fare before accepting the ride. It should be approximately 6.000 to 10.000 NGN to Lagos Island (and places similar distance away).
Uber operates in Lagos, too. Prices are similar to taxis.
Private transfers are also recommended for reliability and security, but require prior planning. You can usually arrange one via your hotel or agency.
Public transportation is practically nonexistent at the airport itself, but Ikeja Bus Terminal and Ikeja Train Station are both a short ride away from the International Terminal and within walking distance of the Domestic one. There, you can take different public buses to various parts of Lagos, or a train on the Lagos-Ibadan Railway.
If you prefer to drive yourself, you can rent a car directly at LOS. Two major international rental car providers, Avis and Hertz, have desks near the Arrivals area.
Parking at Lagos Airport
There is a large, multi-storey parking garage in front of the Domestic Terminal (MMA2). Parking there costs 3500 NGN for the first hour and 2500 NGN for each additional hour. Overnight parking costs 50000 NGN.
The International Terminal (MMIA 1) has an open-air New Airport Car Park, which is about 500 metres from the terminal. It is suitable for short stays, with rates of just 2000 NGN per hour.
Hotels near Murtala Muhammed International Airport
There are two hotels very close to the International Terminal (MMIA 1):
Blue Lodge Hotel: Located 300m from the terminal, and offers a complimentary shuttle. It’s also possible to book a room for just a few hours (day use). The hotel is simple but affordable, and offers a complimentary breakfast buffet for guests, but it’s not luxurious and lacks in several areas.
Legend Hotel Lagos Airport, Curio Collection by Hilton: A more premium 5-star hotel, located just across the street from the terminal, less than a 2-minute walk away. Has an on-site restaurant and a fitness center, and offers complimentary breakfast.
The domestic terminal does not offer the same choice of hotels in its proximity. However, there are several outside the airport grounds, on the other side of the A5. Prominent hotels there include the Ikeja Airport View Apartment Hotel and Providha Hotel & Suites.
Lagos, Nigeria
